RESPONSIBILITY: In all human endeavours, individually and collectively, we have a responsibility to recognize our own interests within a framework of sustainable development. The basic notion is that all of us, and all of the organizational constructs of our society (including government, corporations and unions) should voluntarily exercise choice to "do the right thing", and to "make the right choices." ACCOUNTABILITY: Individuals and organizations in society require both morals and laws to guide their behavour. Accountability refers to the legal obligation to do the right thing. If we (or our organizations) choose not ot do the right thing as established by statutory or regulatory authority, there may be enforceable (and potentially unpleasant) consequences. If there are not, then we must assume a responsibility for establishing them.
HOW DO WE HOLD TO ACCOUNT?
Principles of Accountability
Principles guide conduct. If we can agree on general principles of accountability, we have the basis for developing the basic standards for public answering.
The principle of intentions disclosure - People in authority intending action that would affect others in important ways tell those others the results or outcomes they seek to bring about. They state why they think the outcomes they intend are desirable and fair.
The principle of performance visibility - Actual performance is disclosed through adequate public answering by those with the performance responsibilities. Those in authority answer publicly and promptly for the results of their actions and for the learning they applied from it.
The principle of identifying the directing mind - In every government, corporation or other organization there is a "directing mind and will" to be identified as the body publicly accountable for what people in the organization or set of organizations intend to do, actually do or fail to do.
The principle of answering for precautions taken - Decision-makers in authority having a duty to inform themselves adequately about significant risks to people's safety, social and legal justice and the environment, meet the intent of the precautionary principle in their decision-making. They answer publicly for having obtained reasonable assurance that it is safe to proceed and, if in doubt, for erring on the side of safety.
The citizens' precautionary principle - Citizens apply to justice, equity and the preservation of community the same precautionary principle they must apply to safety and environmental protection. In appropriate forums they set the public answering standards for the intentions of decision-makers in authority and hold them fairly and publicly to account.
The principles of audit - Important answering is validated by knowledgeable public interest groups or by professional practitioners, or both.
The right-roles principle - The public answering for intentions and results is given by those accountable. The answering obligation is not shifted to external inspectors, commissioners, auditors, ombusdmen or other examiners.
The principle of governing body and citizen responsibility - To ensure continued answering, those legitimately holding to account act fairly and responsibly on answerings given in good faith. This applies to both governing bodies and public interest groups.
The wages-of-abdication principle - To the extent that citizens abdicate their responsibility to decide standards of public answering and hold fairly to account, they create civic incompetence and give tacit authorization to the abuse of power
Note: These principles will be the subject of a focus group discussion (the third in a series) hosted by the Council of Canadians in the Comox Valley in mid-June. If any CUPE members on Vancouver Island are interested in participating, please contact Fail Miller at (250) 897-0270, or via e-mail: miller@nic.bc.ca Tentative date: June 16th, 7:00 p.m.